Annual Canvass of Electors - FAQs

Every household will receive a voter registration form showing the people registered at that address.  This is an opportunity for people to update the information we currently hold.  The 2008/2009 revised register of electors will be published on or shortly before 1 December 2008.

The form refers to a reference date of 15 October 2008, however you do not need to wait until that date to send your form back.  The telephone/internet registration line available for households with no changes will be open until Sunday, 16 November 2008.

If you need advice, the helpline number is 01707 357300 and is available during normal office hours.  You can also contact us by E-mail at elections@welhat.gov.uk

General Information

The names printed on the form have moved from this address.  What should I do?

Cross through the name of anybody who has moved away and add the names of the new occupiers who qualify for registration.  Return the form in the post.  Do not use the telephone or internet response service.

I have just been notified that I am included on the register of electors and have now received a voter registration form.  Do I still need to complete this?

Yes.  It is a statutory requirement for each household to complete and return the voter registration form.  If all the information pre printed on the form is correct, you can reply using the 24 hour free phone telephone/internet response service.  If you need to make changes to the information on the form, you must return it in the post.

The form says 'no electors registered at present' but I live here.  What do I do?

Add the details of anybody who qualifies and return it in the post to be processed.

My form has been lost/ruined/destroyed.  Can I have a new one?

Contact the Council on the helpline number 01707 357300 and ask for a replacement form to be sent.

I haven't received a voter registration form.  Can you send me one?

Contact the Council on the helpline number 01707 357300 and ask for a form to be sent.

Why do you need to know that I have reached 70 years of age?

Anyone 70 or over is exempt from jury service.  This information is not printed on the published register.

I have been sent two forms - one with 7 names on and one with 1 name on.  Why?

The computer system defaults to print a maximum of 7 names per page.  Please sign both forms and return them in the pre paid envelope.  Unfortunately in this instance you cannot use the telephone/internet response service but will have to return the forms in the pre paid envelope.

I rent a room in a house and the owner/landlord hasn't added my name to the form.  What can I do?

Contact the Council on the helpline number 01707 357300 and ask for a form to be sent.

My husband/wife or a member of my household has died.  What do I do on this form?

Write the word deceased alongside their name, make any other amendments, sign the form and return it to us in the pre paid envelope.

My husband/wife has gone into a nursing or residential care home.  What do I do?

Cross through their name on the form and write the name of the nursing/care home by the side.  Make any other amendments, sign the form, and return it to us in the pre paid envelope.  The nursing and residential care homes in this area are sent a voter registration form.  The Electoral Services office will check to make sure that their name has been added to the nursing/residential care home.

I am the owner/householder.  Why is my name not at the top of the list?

The computer system automatically produces the data in alphabetical order.

I already pay my council tax and the Council already knows who lives here.  Why do I need to complete this form?

These services are administered separately.  Electoral registration is based on different things and we need to gather information about eligible residents.

I only live here part of the time.  Where should I be registered?

You should only be registered in your main residence.  If this is not your main residence but you feel you should be registered at this property too, you should contact the Electoral Services office on 01707 357300 for advice on whether you are entitled to or not.

Two Versions of the Register

What is the difference between the full and edited registers/why are there two versions of the Register of Electors?

Every eligible person is entered in the full register, but you do not have to appear in the edited register.  The edited register may be sold to commercial organisations.

Postal or Proxy Voting

The form shows that I have a postal or proxy vote set up.  How can I cancel this?

Options:

• Cross through the word postal or proxy and return the form to the Council.
• If you are happy with all the other information pre printed on the form, use the telephone or internet response service but inform the Electoral Services office either in writing or by telephone that you wish to cancel your postal or proxy vote.
• Write to or telephone the Electoral Services office asking for this to be cancelled.

Telephone and Internet Registration

The telephone and internet response service can only be used for households where there are no changes to the information pre printed on the voter registration form.  If you need to make any additions or amendments to the details printed on the form you must return it in the post.  If your form has 'PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM BY POST' printed underneath the telephone response number, you cannot use this service.

If the form has the word 'Postal' already printed against your name, you do not have to reapply for a postal vote.  If someone in your household does not have the word 'Postal' printed in the last column on the form, they can request a postal vote application form using these services.  The telephone response service will ask all callers if they need to apply for a postal vote - this part of the telephone registration can be skipped if not applicable.

When I enter the 10 digit unique reference number for the telephone response service, it refers me to the helpline number.  Why?

If may be that your telephone is not on the tone setting.  Please return the form in the pre paid envelope.

I have put in my 10 digit unique reference number to register by phone but the system says it is not recognised.  What can I do?

It is a free phone number so please try again.  It may only be a temporary fault.  If you are still unsuccessful, please return the form in the pre paid envelope.

The telephone response service asks me to enter the line number of the elector.  What is/where do I find the line number?

You will find the line number printed on the left hand side of the surname column - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.

I have completed the form using the telephone/internet response service and realise that I should have added or deleted someone or made a change to one of the names listed.  I have tried to enter the 10 digit unique reference number again, but it says a response has already been accepted.  What can I do?

Make the necessary change/s on the form and return it in the pre paid envelope.  The returned form will supersede the telephone/internet response.

I have tried to register by telephone but it won't work.  Can you do this for me?

We are not allowed to.  Try again on the free phone number or complete the form and send it back in the pre paid envelope.

My form hasn't got a 10 digit unique reference number or internet password.  I want to register by telephone/internet.  How can I?

Unfortunately in this instance you will have to return the form in the pre paid envelope.

Moving/Empty Properties

I will be moving in September/October/November but not sure when.  Should I complete this form now or wait till I move to my new address?

The register is based on a reference date of 15 October 2008.  You will need to register for the address you will be living in on that date.  Please speak to the Electoral Services office on 01707 357300 if you need further advice.

This property is empty and will be for the next few months.  Do you want the form back?

Yes.  Please cross out any names pre printed on the form in Part B, and put a tick in the box 'property empty on 15 October 2008' under Part C.

Other Categories of Electors - Service and Overseas

My spouse/son/daughter/partner is in the forces.  What should I do?

People in the services can either register as an 'ordinary' elector at their home address, or register as a Service Voter on a separate form.  Forms can be downloaded from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or you can contact the Electoral Services office on 01707 357300 for a form or for more advice.

My son/daughter or I/we are moving/have moved abroad.  Can we register?

British citizens living or working abroad may still be able to register to vote at Parliamentary elections from their previous address here.  If you registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years, you can apply to be an overseas voter.  If you were too young to register when you left the UK, your parent or guardian must have been registered.  Forms can be downloaded from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or you can contact the Electoral Services office on 01707 357300 for an application form.

Students

I am a student.  Should I register at this address as I have already registered for my home address?

Students are allowed to register at both their home and college/university address.  However, it is an offence to vote more than once in a national election.

Eligibility and Qualification

I am not a British citizen.  Can I register?

If you are a British, Irish, Commonwealth or Other European Union citizen you qualify.

I have indefinite leave to stay in the UK.  Does this qualify me for registration?

No - you still have to meet the following criteria: British, Irish, Commonwealth or Other European Union citizen.

I have applied for British Citizenship.  Can I register?

You can only register if you are a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen.  Please check this list to see whether you already qualify.  If you are from a country not entitled to register, and you have applied for British citizenship, you will only be eligible for registration once the Home Office has granted you this status.  If your circumstances change, please contact the Electoral Services office on 01707 357300 for advice.

Reminder Form

I've received a reminder but have already responded by telephone/internet/post.  Can I check to see if you have received this?

Contact the Electoral Services office on the helpline number 01707 357300 and they will check the computer system.

I have received a reminder but it's not the 15 October yet.  Why have I been sent this?

A change to legislation means that we have to visit all households that do not return a canvass form.  As a result we have to send out the reminder forms earlier.  You do not need to wait until the 15 October to send your form back.

Not interested in Registering or Voting

I don't want my name to appear on the Register of Electors.

Every year the Council has to carry out an annual canvass of electors.  You are required to give this information by law.  If there are exceptional registration circumstances in your household, please contact the Electoral Services office on 01707 357300 for more advice.

I don't vote/I'm not interested in politics.

Whether you vote is up to you, but the law says that you must go on the register if you have the right to vote.

I'm just not interested.  What are you going to do if I refuse?

You are required to give this information by law.  You may be liable for a fine of up to £1,000 for not giving the information.

Checking the Register

I need to check my entry in the register.  How can I?

The revised register is not published until 1 December and you need to make an appointment to view the full register.  A copy of the edited register will be available in reception at our offices at Campus East, Welwyn Garden City.

Purchasing the Register

Can I purchase a copy of the Register of Electors?

Anybody can buy a copy of the edited register and use it for any purpose.  Access/purchase of the full register is restricted.  Contact the Electoral Services office on 01707 357300 for charges.